A recent study in Health Affairs looked at medication adherence in Part D and how it relates to the Part D MTM program. The study found suboptimal adherence to medications is associated with significantly higher costs in Part A and B Medicare services among Part D enrollees with diabetes, heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Specifically, the extra Medicare costs associated with poor medication adherence ranged from $49 to $840 per month.

While beneficiaries with poor adherence had higher costs, they were not more likely to be eligible for MTM services under Part D, which could potentially have helped improve their adherence. The researchers suggest there is an opportunity to better target Part D’s MTM program to enrollees who may incur preventable future health care costs.

Interested in learning more about strategies stakeholders are developing to improve adherence? Check out our new Ask About Adherence Blog Series. And stay tuned for more #MedicareMonday posts about the Part D program!

Allyson Funk Ally is a former senior director of public affairs at PhRMA focused on advocacy issues for the biopharmaceutical industry. Her expertise includes Medicare, Medicaid, 340B, health reform and more. Prior to PhRMA, her experience included leading health communications for a large membership organization, supporting public affairs clients and working for the governor of Louisiana.